Develop Bugs

[Q] Restore to Stock and Root Methods

Hi everyone.
I recently got a used Note 2. I've been doing a bit of reading in this section and just wanted to confirm a couple of things.
First off my phone's description:
Carrier: Sprint
Model Number: SPH-L900
Android Version: 4.3
Baseband Version: L900VPUBMK4
Kernel Version: 3.0.31-2106854 [email protected] #1 Mon Nov 11 20:33:03 KST 2013
Build Number: JSS15J.L900VPUBMK4
SE for Android Status: Enforcing SEPF_SPH-L900_4.3_0010
Hardware Version: L900.09
(1) Even though the phone came wiped of all previous data I would like to do a factory reset. Billard412's guide is mentioned several times. Is this the option to go with for my phone?
(2) The phone is not rooted at the moment. Should I use the CF-Auto Root method by Chainfire first and then proceed to install TWRP and then restore back to stock using Billard412's guide?
Thanks for your help in advance.

To start with you have the 100% KNOX on your phone so Billard412's back to stock will be the option you want to use.
You will need to download
TWRP recovery (recommended because billards zip works best with it)
Billards back to stock mc2 with counter reset
The root file located in billards thread
Prep steps
Backup everything you want from your internal sdcard (this will get wiped)
place billards rom and root files on your external sdcard
1. boot phone into download mode
2. use odin to flash twrp recovery (any version but 2.7) make sure you uncheck the reboot option in odin
3. once finished remove cable and battery
4. hold the recovery boot key sequence (vol up, home, and power keys) then insert battery (while holding keys)
5. once in recovery wipe everything
6. flash billards rom (do not wipe anything else after this step)
7. flash the root file
8. reboot and dont get worry when things get funky this is normal
9. the phone will take a bit to boot
10. now you have stock mc2 with root
11. install your recovery of choice (if flashing touchwiz 4.3 or aosp 4.4 roms use Philz 6.07.9) this can be done with odin or an image flashing app
12. now you can flash whatever rom you want
FYI -- when going from touchwiz 4.1x to 4.3 or aosp 4.4 you should format your internal sdcard. The newer roms use a different location for your internal sdcard and without proper formatting you will end up with issues (mostly random reboots and apps force closing) -- Same goes if you go from 4.3 TW/aosp 4.4 to 4.1x TW/4.3 or lower aosp

jlmancuso, thanks for the reply. Couple of things to clarify from your post:
- Regarding the Prep steps.
- I don't have anything on this phone yet so I don't think I need to back anything up. Even if if did the "Android system recovery <3e>" recovery menu does not have an option to back anything up
- Regarding using Odin to flash TWRP
- The 2.7 version to avoid is for TWRP correct? I went to TWRP's Sprint Note 2 page and I cannot seem to find a different version. Where should I get the version of TWRP that actually works?
- From the XDA page on Odin, which version should I use 3.09 or 1.85?
- All of the boxes must be unchecked including the reboot option? If not which ones need to be checked?
- I click on the "PDA" button to load the TWRP zip file correct?
- Regarding step 8:
- What do you mean "dont get worry when things get funky"? Funky as in the phone takes long to reboot or the screen flashes weird colors/patterns?
- Also, I came across Galaxy Note2 TOOLKIT V5.0.0 SPRINT thread. That one seems pretty easy to follow through. Would that option work for me given that I have the KNOX update?
Thanks again for your help.

Well, I've done a bit more reading into the Galaxy Note2 TOOLKIT V5.0.0 SPRINT thread and it seems that might be the way to go. Mark mentions the KNOX update in his changelog. I don't have the necessary posts to post a question in that thread so hopefully someone sees this that's familiar with that method. Does this method apply to a phone that has already undergone the KNOX update?
From what I can understand, Mark has made a recovery as well as a root tool. I bought this phone second hand so any warranty issues (e.g. flash counts, etc.) don't really apply to me. I'm just looking to get the phone to a clean state where I can start fresh and then add TWRP and Root. As far as the version of TWRP, Billard412 says (in post #604) that "Version of twrp doesn't matter as far as I know."
My second question is, using the Unified Toolkit, will i be able to restore my phone to stock and then root it with the least amount of problems?

roofus1218 said:
Well, I've done a bit more reading into the Galaxy Note2 TOOLKIT V5.0.0 SPRINT thread and it seems that might be the way to go. Mark mentions the KNOX update in his changelog. I don't have the necessary posts to post a question in that thread so hopefully someone sees this that's familiar with that method. Does this method apply to a phone that has already undergone the KNOX update?
From what I can understand, Mark has made a recovery as well as a root tool. I bought this phone second hand so any warranty issues (e.g. flash counts, etc.) don't really apply to me. I'm just looking to get the phone to a clean state where I can start fresh and then add TWRP and Root. As far as the version of TWRP, Billard412 says (in post #604) that "Version of twrp doesn't matter as far as I know."
My second question is, using the Unified Toolkit, will i be able to restore my phone to stock and then root it with the least amount of problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I belive your best option is billard412s thread. You are correct with your Odin steps. Flash TWRP and follow thread you should be golden

Awesome thanks a bunch!

[Q] I747 Galaxy S3 Clockworkmod Recovery Problem

Ok guys I am a noob (also new to these forums) and I'm having a lot of trouble with my phone. The other day, I rooted my phone using towelroot and confirmed it using root checker. then, I downloaded ROM manager as advised by a friend. i followed the instructions and installed Clockworkmod Recovery onto my AT&T Galaxy S3. Feeling I was finally ready to install a ROM, i tried to download Cyanogenmod 10.3.1 only to have it be "downloading" for over 14 hours without it completing. From there, i did some research and decided to utilize the Cyanogenmod Installer. it seemed to work perfectly, even showing the cyanogenmod logo under when my devicec turned on, until it told me to reboot my device. i entered clockworkmod recovery mode to officially reboot it. when i selected "reboot system now" it said "Root access possibly lost. Fix?". i was given the options to say "No" and "Yes - Fix root (/system/xbin/su). no matter which one i try, my phone boots to the stock touchwiz OS. I have installed and reinstalled both superuser, superSU, and ROM manager to no success. What am i doing wrong?

Try flashing Philz Touch via Odin and use that to flash a custom ROM.
From what I recall, CM ROMs are already rooted.

audit13 said:
Try flashing Philz Touch via Odin and use that to flash a custom ROM.
From what I recall, CM ROMs are already rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM is already rooted? What does that mean? I have a feeling that I will be unable to flash any ROMs due to my "possible loss of root access." Thank you for your patience as I am a noob and am very stressed out as this is my only phone.

I see two areas that are potential problems for flashing that rom. If it took 14 hours to download, its highly likely a corrupted download. But also, you may be on too new firmware. Cm uses asserts in the updater-script to check that you have the right base firmware/bootloader build. They dont update this so when newer firmware is released it will no longer flash because the script doesn't see it as allowed.
Anytime you have issues flashing something in recovery, you should copy the recovery log to sd. This will tell you what happened. I suspect it simply didn't flash, but without the log, theres no way we can tell what happened.
Also, you do not need to be rooted to flash anything from recovery. Just flash the recovery, then flash a rom from there. Nearly all roms you will ever see are already rooted. Non rooted roms are very rare and are generally only used as an alternate way to revert to stock.
I dont use cwm, but if im not mistaken, it seems to always ask to fix root. I dont know why, but I see people ask about it frequently.
I use TWRP, so try that, or philz as suggested by audit13. Just watch the flash progress for any errors and copy the log.

Stuck in Odin Mode [from attempt to install a recovery rom]

I'd appreciate any help I can get guys.
So today, for the first time ever I rooted my android.
Found a simple video on how to and it worked. I then wanted to try a custom rom [Cyanogenmod 12?] On a video it was said to have a custom recovery rom first. Well, I tried Flashing TWRP. It asked to reboot. I pressed "yes Please". After that it restarted and was stuck at:
"Could not do normal boot" Odin mode (High speed)
I did a reset and now its just at:
"Odin mode(high speed)"
I saw someone on a random forum describing the same problem. He said he fixed it installing a recovery rom. Im guess from odin
since I cant do things on my phone. But I don't even know how to go about it. I just now I need a Tar. file
Please give me direction .__.

Try TWRP tar from Odin with phone in download mode; TWRP recovery tar linked below.
http://www.techerrata.com/file/twrp2/trltespr/openrecovery-twrp-2.8.5.0-trltespr.img.tar
If that doesn't work, you may have to Odin the stock tar.
I'm wondering if you misread the CF Auto root prompt to update the su binary? Update the su binary but don't choose the TWRP option even if you have TWRP. If you get recovery working, delete the cache and dakvik cache and reboot.

Didn't work out...at least the way I did it. I'm still new to this. Id appreciate more broken down instructions if youre willing to help

Sixgotfangs said:
Didn't work out...at least the way I did it. I'm still new to this. Id appreciate more broken down instructions if youre willing to help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of Odin do you have? Should be 3.07 with C.F. auto root. What have you flashed in Odin? Not familiar with the Odin message you gave; did anything change with the new recovery tar flash in Odin?
Won't boot or flash recovery? If so, you need to factory reset and Odin stock tar.
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95853297432265112
The instructions for stock tar are below but it's important to remember when flashing stock tars to power down first prior to going to download. You may not have any choice but power down to reach download mode; pull battery if you can't power down.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=56853325
If you can't factory reset, Odin the stock tar and see if it boots.

Yes, I have the 3.07. Only thing ive done was Root. I tried the recovery rom from a mobile download. That's as far as I got. All the recovery files I get never end up showing in the pda file search. .tar or .md5 is what it calls for. If I CAN factory reset from where im at now how do I do so. If I can start ALL over with someone who is actually up to date and knows what theyre doing id feel more comfortable. right now nothings happened and my phone is still at "odin mode (hgh speed) --downloading.

Sixgotfangs said:
Yes, I have the 3.07. Only thing ive done was Root. I tried the recovery rom from a mobile download. That's as far as I got. All the recovery files I get never end up showing in the pda file search. .tar or .md5 is what it calls for. If I CAN factory reset from where im at now how do I do so. If I can start ALL over with someone who is actually up to date and knows what theyre doing id feel more comfortable. right now nothings happened and my phone is still at "odin mode (hgh speed) --downloading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, check my post above for updates.
Also, don't use the phone to download tar files unless you're using Flashify from Google Play. Download the tars on PC, move to folder that Odin resides in to find easily. You'll need to open the archive and drag the files there if zipped. The stock tar should be zipped but not sure about the recovery tar.

Cant believe I didn't see the last section on that post. Sorry about that. Anyway, I am downloading those files. Looks like its gonna take some time though. I'll go through each step you said and let you know.

Forgot to mention that you should close Odin after each flash attempt. You may have already noticed by now.
To get to CM after stock tar:
1) Root with CF Auto root, update su binary/reboot (you should wait no longer than 5 minutes for Knox prompt from supersu.
2) Odin TWRP recovery tar using same method as stock tar; Odin will only write over stock recovery on this step.
3) factory reset and flash CM in recovery. But also follow suggested instructions in the ROM you choose.

So far so good. The lil blue loading bar is filling.

got back to rooting. but I didn't do anything else. haven't even went to super user

Sixgotfangs said:
got back to rooting. but I didn't do anything else. haven't even went to super user
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Booted? That's good news!
Can't remember if you have to open it or not. You should get a superuser update and possibly a su binary update but not so important going to another ROM. The su binary update is the one that I was suggesting not to use the TWRP option; I think the option is normal? Eventually, you should get the pop-up to disable Knox notifications; reboot if takes longer than 5 minutes.
Ready for TWRP? Use Odin. Flashify is something you could look into for updating TWRP, as needed. It's good for backing up recoveries and kernels, too. But watch those kernels for installed lib modules; Flashify won't restore those properly. Rely on flash zips for those; same applies for stock kernels, zip should include the stock modules.
It's late; you're probably done for the night. I'm out too.

samep said:
Booted? That's good news!
Can't remember if you have to open it or not. You should get a superuser update and possibly a su binary update but not so important going to another ROM. The su binary update is the one that I was suggesting not to use the TWRP option; I think the option is normal? Eventually, you should get the pop-up to disable Knox notifications; reboot if takes longer than 5 minutes.
Ready for TWRP? Use Odin. Flashify is something you could look into for updating TWRP, as needed. It's good for backing up recoveries and kernels, too. But watch those kernels for installed lib modules; Flashify won't restore those properly. Rely on flash zips for those; same applies for stock kernels, zip should include the stock modules.
It's late; you're probably done for the night. I'm out too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, things are back to normal. Thanks again. As for the next steps, pretty lost. Im going to check the play store for an superuser update but the SU binary update....that's where I start getting lost. sorry for not being up to date with the terminology. But I am gonna check back on those links and look for the TWRP. and then use it like I did for those last files...{that's what Im getting from your messages} correct me if im straying from the path lol. catch ya later

I'm confusing you a bit with the the su binary update and SuperSU update. To keep it simpler, that can wait until after you flash CM, if that's your goal. Those are prompts so don't be too concerned. Don't think you'll see Knox in CM.
So to keep it simple, you need TWRP to flash a custom ROM. I suggest the Odin tar in the link sent earlier.
After getting your custom ROM flashed in recovery, follow the prompts but if you see the su binary update prompt, don't choose the TWRP option. I think that caused your initial recovery issue but can't say for sure.

samep said:
I'm confusing you a bit with the the su binary update and SuperSU update. To keep it simpler, that can wait until after you flash CM, if that's your goal. Those are prompts so don't be too concerned. Don't think you'll see Knox in CM.
So to keep it simple, you need TWRP to flash a custom ROM. I suggest the Odin tar in the link sent earlier.
After getting your custom ROM flashed in recovery, follow the prompts but if you see the su binary update prompt, don't choose the TWRP option. I think that caused your initial recovery issue but can't say for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there, Ok so. After messing around I ended up getting that TWRP package to work. I thought It was a SINGLE file, that's where I got stuck. but the whole ?.rar showed up in the pda selection In odin and I ran it. Worked fine. didn't see anything about updates ...still.
I restarted and went to recoverymode. Teamwin popped up like ive seen from other videos. Guessing im on the right track. So right now I don't need to be worrying about SuperSu or Rashr? or should I be dealing with those two apps? ALSO is Rom installer anything to pay attention to?

At this point, you can look into a ROM installer or Flashify but I'd recommend just following the developer OP for whatever ROM you choose.
And yes, no need to worry with SuperSU or su binary update. Just follow the prompts when they appear after flashing ROM.

samep said:
At this point, you can look into a ROM installer or Flashify but I'd recommend just following the developer OP for whatever ROM you choose.
And yes, no need to worry with SuperSU or su binary update. Just follow the prompts when they appear after flashing ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much! The videos ive seen have been much simple-r for installing roms SO I may survive this whole experience after all...Yesterday was kind of a bad time to almost loose my phones functionality....being on the job hunt and all. need those phone calls Lol. So thanks again. Im hoping to try out cyanogenmod 12. I'll definitely shoot off a flare gun if I fail lol.

No problem. Glad to be of some help. Godspeed on your journey and best of wishes for your career and rooted ventures!

samep said:
No problem. Glad to be of some help. Godspeed on your journey and best of wishes for your career and rooted ventures!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SUCCESS! Thanks again Sensei Lol

samep said:
No problem. Glad to be of some help. Godspeed on your journey and best of wishes for your career and rooted ventures!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
eh...celebrated too early I guess. Ever run into camera connection errors?

Sixgotfangs said:
eh...celebrated too early I guess. Ever run into camera connection errors?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the error while still on stock or CM?
Now that you can wipe data, you can factory reset and either Odin the stock tar or flash CM.
If you prefer to take least intrusive approach, try going into recovery and delete cache and dalvik cache and reboot. If still not working, the factory reset. If still having camera issues, then decide if you want to go with stock tar in Odin again or CM a clean install; wipe user data first.
Personally, I'd wipe everything except my titanium backups and go back to Odin stock tar and make sure stock works fully before going to CM. In a situation like you were in, I would have powered down, flashed the stock tar in Odin and let it auto boot. Flash the custom recovery so I could wipe everything and then power down again and flash the stock tar in Odin just to get a clean start with root and custom ROM.
Edit- what is camera connection error? Oh, I see; lost camera. New thread. Maybe someone on CM can help you.

Installing TWRP Fail!! Please check this out!

Ok guys Ive tried every post I can find on getting TWRP on my phone. I have the latest Odin3 v3.10.6.exe, the latest TWRP, twrp-2.8.7.0-trltespr.img.tar and tried, openrecovery-twrp-2.8.5.0-trltespr.img.tar, I have followed the posts and pulled the usb, then the battery for 30 seconds. I have unchecked the auto reboot, left it checked, tried it in the AP and BL slots and I cant get a custom recovery to stick. Here is the stats on my phone, Im at my wits end with this any help or suggestions would be much grateful. Ive already bricked it with cf autoroot and reinstalled the stock rom. Im wondering if I shouldn't of let it auto activate? Does sprint have a kill mode now for TWRP?
Software Version, N910PVPU4COG5
HARDWARE VERSION N90P.O5
ANDROID VERSION 5.1.1
BASEBAND VERSION SAME AS SOFTWARE VERSION
KERNEL VERSION
3.10.40-530320
DPI!SWHE8820 #1
BUILD NUBMER
LMY47X.N910PVPU4COG5
SECURITY SOFTWARE VERSION
MDF V2.0 RELEASE 1
VPN V1.4 RELEASE 5.2
KNOX VERSION
KNOX 2.4.1

Johniex said:
...Im wondering if I shouldn't of let it auto activate?...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you should. Although I can't recall it specifically said, that's what I do. I use the OB7 bootloader still and the OB7 to OG5 tar flash, reboots without warning on initial boot. Using OG5 modem on OB7, the phone would ask for permission to reboot. Once that reboot is out of the way, proceed.
@tx_dbs_tx implied (not to put words in his mouth but IMO he implies as you theorize here) the same recently when he added to get a GPS lock prior to proceeding.
The other steps you mentioned should get it done. Latest Odin, default settings, wipe everything but extSdCard (backup keep sakes) and power down prior to Odin download are recommended as well. Also, remember to uncheck auto reboot for TWRP flash in Odin, pull USB and battery. Most importantly, boot into recovery to help it stick.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

TWRP Fails While Trying To Write
Hello to all. I am trying to install TWRP on My Sprint note 4 . I am on software version N910PVPS4DPE2 and the Baseband is the same. Android VErsion 6.0.1
I was trying to install TWRP 3.0.2-0. Odin sees the phone and tries to install, but I notice that upon the writing process it fails. I even tried to install TWRP 2.8.5.0. I think I read something that this version must be installed first before any newer versions. Now mind you I am not rooted as of yet. I want to get a backup of the original setup before I flash a new ROM.
Any and all suggestions are welcomed to help me.
Blessings and Thank You In Advance.

ulremember said:
.. I notice that upon the writing process it fails. I even tried to install TWRP 2.8.5.0. I think I read something that this version must be installed first before any newer versions. Now mind you I am not rooted as of yet. I want to get a backup of the original setup before I flash a new ROM.
Any and all suggestions are welcomed to help me.
Blessings and Thank You In Advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think you have to install an older version of TWRP first but there are 2 common overlooked steps when installing TWRP:
1) Goto Settings/Security when booted and make sure Reactivation lock is unchecked. (If it's set, you can't write in Odin and your phone displays something like blocked by R/L.)
2) You've dug up an old thread, this post may conflict with the older posts above but for clarity, it's best to open Odin options tab, uncheck only the auto reboot box and flash the img.tar, loading in AP slot. After flash is verified as successful, 0 failed (wait for it), pull USB cable and battery, wait at least 30 seconds. It's important that your first boot is directly to recovery to make TWRP stick as your default recovery. Else, you revert back to stock recovery if booting into system.
Note: There is a TWRP thread in original development forum which answers this question and others. Before rooting, you may consider OTA update to the update that matches your ROM if interest. The OTA updates are incremental so it may make more sense to Odin the stock reflecting the update of interest.
When Odin flashing stock tars, use the latest Odin, verify the md5 of downloaded zip then extract the tar.md5 to Odin folder to find easily when flashing. But on your phone, backup what you like before considering wiping; don't expect the flash to wipe for you but you may lose internal memory storage. Expect that but don't wipe your extSdCard; you can move what you want to keep there along with anything you intend to flash later. After backup and wipe, power phone down and pull battery prior to flashing stock tar. That seems to help ensure your csc gets setup properly. There is a stock tar thread in general forum with the stock tar updates, tools and instructions.
Make sure you install the right recovery or your touch screen will be out of calibration. Any trouble, refer to the TWRP thread but I think I've addressed the current issues.

Thank you soooo much!!!! That worked.
God bless you!!!!
Have a great weekend!!!

Cannot access recovery after attempted TWRP update, noob to HTC Devices

I've got an HTC One M9 (Rogers) that I've rooted and installed CM13 (13.0-20160221-nightly-himaul). I'm reasonably experienced with custom ROMs and such having played with all of this stuff on several Samsung devices (Captivate, Galaxy Nexus, SGS3), but this is my first go on an HTC device and first time running TWRP as opposed to Clockworkmod. I attempted to update my TWRP from 2.8.4 to 3.0.0-2 by booting to recovery. Not sure how and where I went wrong in that process but I can no longer boot to recovery, the phone starts up just fine and is usable. I can still access download mode and the bootloader, device is S-on (and has never been s-off). I have since attempted to reinstall TWRP via ADB commands as per the below post. The flash seems to take, no errors but still I'm unable to access recovery. I'm at somewhat of a loss as to what if anything I can try next.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/guide-root-install-twrp-htc-one-m9-t3061133

the0f said:
I've got an HTC One M9 (Rogers) that I've rooted and installed CM13 (13.0-20160221-nightly-himaul). I'm reasonably experienced with custom ROMs and such having played with all of this stuff on several Samsung devices (Captivate, Galaxy Nexus, SGS3), but this is my first go on an HTC device and first time running TWRP as opposed to Clockworkmod. I attempted to update my TWRP from 2.8.4 to 3.0.0-2 by booting to recovery. Not sure how and where I went wrong in that process but I can no longer boot to recovery, the phone starts up just fine and is usable. I can still access download mode and the bootloader, device is S-on (and has never been s-off). I have since attempted to reinstall TWRP via ADB commands as per the below post. The flash seems to take, no errors but still I'm unable to access recovery. I'm at somewhat of a loss as to what if anything I can try next.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/guide-root-install-twrp-htc-one-m9-t3061133
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you running 3.x firmware? TWRP 3.0+ only works on firmware 3.x (i.e., the firmware that comes with Marshmallow). Flash TWRP 2.8x using fastboot and it should work just fine.

efrant said:
Are you running 3.x firmware? TWRP 3.0+ only works on firmware 3.x (i.e., the firmware that comes with Marshmallow). Flash TWRP 2.8x using fastboot and it should work just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sir are my hero, that definitely worked. So now to update that firmware so that I can update everything else. By chance do you know of a guide on how to update to that newer firmware version?

the0f said:
You sir are my hero, that definitely worked. So now to update that firmware so that I can update everything else. By chance do you know of a guide on how to update to that newer firmware version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way I know how to do it with S-ON is to restore your device to stock (i.e., the version of stock before you flashed CM), take the OTA update, then flash the ROM you want.

efrant said:
The only way I know how to do it with S-ON is to restore your device to stock (i.e., the version of stock before you flashed CM), take the OTA update, then flash the ROM you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to be a bother and ask for any form of hand holding, but any idea where I can source the files for the return to stock? Currently have 2.11.631.2 on there (checked in the bootloader). Either that or a way to go S-OFF, I've been unable to find a guide on how to accomplish this without sunshine, which won't work on Cyanogenmod. If that required flashing even to something more similar to stock (IE Android Revolution) that's not the end of the world. Just kind of at a loss as to how to go about that process from where I am now.

the0f said:
Sorry to be a bother and ask for any form of hand holding, but any idea where I can source the files for the return to stock? Currently have 2.11.631.2 on there (checked in the bootloader). Either that or a way to go S-OFF, I've been unable to find a guide on how to accomplish this without sunshine, which won't work on Cyanogenmod. If that required flashing even to something more similar to stock (IE Android Revolution) that's not the end of the world. Just kind of at a loss as to how to go about that process from where I am now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Make sure you have an sdcard formatted exfat in your device.
2) Boot into TWRP and back up your boot image to the sdcard. (You are doing this to get TWRP to create the proper directory structure.)
3) Find your back up that you just created and delete the files in the folder, i.e., the boot image and the md5 file.
4) Make sure TWRP has the option to keep system read-only checked (in the mounts menu).
5) Go here and download the three files (boot, recovery, system_image) for 2.11.631.2 and place them in the folder on your sdcard mentioned in point #3 above.
6) Restore the files using TWRP and reboot your device into Android.
7) You'll get an OTA notification. Accept it and update your device. (It'll take a while and reboot multiple times.)
8) Once updated, you'll get a second OTA notification to update you to Marshmallow. Accept it and update your device. (It'll take a while and reboot multiple times.)
9) Once updated, you can go ahead and flash TWRP 3.0+ and do what you want.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/guide-return-to-stock-canadian-htc-one-t3108236

efrant said:
1) Make sure you have an sdcard formatted exfat in your device.
2) Boot into TWRP and back up your boot image to the sdcard. (You are doing this to get TWRP to create the proper directory structure.)
3) Find your back up that you just created and delete the files in the folder, i.e., the boot image and the md5 file.
4) Make sure TWRP has the option to keep system read-only checked (in the mounts menu).
5) Go here and download the three files (boot, recovery, system_image) for 2.11.631.2 and place them in the folder on your sdcard mentioned in point #3 above.
6) Restore the files using TWRP and reboot your device into Android.
7) You'll get an OTA notification. Accept it and update your device. (It'll take a while and reboot multiple times.)
8) Once updated, you'll get a second OTA notification to update you to Marshmallow. Accept it and update your device. (It'll take a while and reboot multiple times.)
9) Once updated, you can go ahead and flash TWRP 3.0+ and do what you want.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/guide-return-to-stock-canadian-htc-one-t3108236
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Thank you again sir, I'll give that a try this evening when I get back home. The help and the hand holding is very much appreciated. I thought that I knew a fair bit about android phones and custom ROMs from my time with my old Samsung devices, and have had to do a lot of learning when it's come to the One M9. Never had a device with the S-ON feature before and have had a lot of trouble trying to find info on what I need to do. I did find that forum post you linked, but wasn't sure if that applied to my device or not. Again VERY much appreciated.

Yup, 6.0 stock is installed and working, TWRP 3.0.0-2 installed and working as well. This time took a system backup and stored it in a safe place (as I expect much the same trouble when Android N or any other major update happens). Thank you again for all of your assistance in getting my phone fixed and updated.